BEFORE THE UTTAR PRADESH ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION LUCKNOW

Transcription

1 BEFORE THE UTTAR PRADESH ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION LUCKNOW Petition No.564/08 IN THE MATTER OF: Seeking determination of tariff of 200 MW enhanced capacity of Anpara C TPS and direction for M/s Lanco Anpara Power Private Ltd. to seek approval of technical and financial changes. AND IN THE MATTER OF: U.P. Power Corporation Ltd. Shakti Bhawan, 14 Ashok Marg, Lucknow..Petitioner The following were present: 1. Sri. K. Raja Gopal, Director & CEO for Lanco Anpara Power Private Ltd. 2. Sri. R.R. Nair, Executive Director, Lanco Anpara Power Private Ltd. 3. Sri. Sanjay Sen, Advocate for Lanco Anpara Power Private Ltd. 4. Sri. Mansoor Ali Shoket, Advocate for Reliance Power Ltd. 5. Sri. N.Bala Subramaniam, Senior Vice President, Reliance Power Ltd. 6. Sri. S.N. Dube, CE, PPA, U.P. Power Corporation Ltd. 7. Sri. S.P Pandey, EE, PPA, U.P. Power Corporation Ltd. 8. Sri. Sumit Notani, for Reliance Power Limited 9. Sri. Asit Srivastava, Advocate for Sri Arvind Kumar Singh 10. Sri. Amarjit S. Rakhra, Advocate & Counsel for UPPCL ORDER (Date of hearing ) 1. U.P. Power Corporation Ltd. (UPPCL) has filed the above mentioned petition in pursuance of Order dt passed in Pet.no.538/08 in the matter of Sri. Arvind Kumar Singh Vs. Department of Energy, State of UP & 5 Ors. in which the Commission observed and decided as below: Further in the present proceedings, all parties including the petitioner has stated that they have no objection for increase in capacity of the project because the same is in public interest. However, the tariff for increased capacity required approval of the Commission. In view of the same and keeping in view of larger public interest, the Commission can only urge UPPCL to take steps for finalization of PPA for the additional power intended to be purchased by their subsidiary distribution companies and file appropriate application for seeking approval of the same Once UPPCL files a draft PPA for determination of tariff for additional capacity to be purchased by their subsidiary distribution companies, the Commission will initiate proceeding in terms as provided under UPERC(Conduct of Business) Regulations and shall hold appropriate public 1

2 hearing.. The Commission shall exercise its regulatory jurisdiction to ensure appropriate tariff for the additional capacity in accordance with the regulatory principles and precedents as enumerated in the Act and applicable regulations. 2. It is stated in the Petition that the Government of UP in its Order dt had allowed (+) 20% variation on unit size of future as well as existing thermal power projects and in reference to the said decision of the Government, M/s Lanco Anpara Power Private Ltd.(LAPPL) sought the consent to increase the project capacity by 20% from 1000 MW to 1200 MW in its letter dt In view of the shortage of power in the State, the Energy Task Force decided on that permission to enhance capacity of the project be accorded to LAPPL with the condition that all statutory clearances for the revised capacity shall be its responsibility and they will also take approval of UP Electricity Regulatory Commission on financial and technical changes. The completion date of the project shall not be extended and the project shall be implemented with the present allocation of water with no additional requirement of the forest land. Subsequently, GOUP by an Order dt accorded the consent to install generating units of 2X600 MW instead of 2X500 MW at Anpara C project. It is stated further that the PPA executed for 2x500MW by Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd., Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd., Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd. & Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd. on has already been approved by the Commission and the same may be approved for purchase of additional 200 MW power from LAPPL. The Petitioner is praying for determination of tariff of such 200 MW with maximum benefit to consumers of the State and direction to M/s Lanco Anpara Power Private Ltd. to seek approval of technical and financial changes. A Public Notice dt was published by the Commission in newspapers as follows: In the matter of: Petition No. 564/08 of 2008 filed by UP Power Corporation Ltd. seeking determination of tariff of 200 MW enhanced capacity of Anpara C TPS and direction for M/s Lanco Anpara Power Private Ltd. to seek approval of technical and financial changes. Whereas a Pet.no.538/08, Sri. Arvind K. Singh Vs. State of UP & 5 Ors, was filed before the Commission for quashing of award of Anpara C to M/s Lanco due to change in capacity of the project from 2X500 MW to 2X600 MW or alternatively direction for reduction in tariff and supply of entire 1200 MW power 2

3 to the State. The Commission disposed of the said petition vide Order dt (available on website of UPERC) and observed, inter alia, in the said order, Further in the present proceedings, all parties including the petitioner has stated that they have no objection for increase in capacity of the project because the same is in public interest. However, the tariff for increased capacity required approval of the Commission. In view of the same and keeping in view of larger public interest, the Commission can only urge UPPCL to take steps for finalization of PPA for the additional power intended to be purchased by their subsidiary distribution companies and file appropriate application for seeking approval of the same Once UPPCL files a draft PPA for determination of tariff for additional capacity to be purchased by their subsidiary distribution companies, the Commission will initiate proceeding in terms as provided under UPERC(Conduct of Business) Regulations and shall hold appropriate public hearing.. The Commission shall exercise its regulatory jurisdiction to ensure appropriate tariff for the additional capacity in accordance with the regulatory principles and precedents as enumerated in the Act and applicable regulations. And whereas, the UP Power Corporation Ltd. (UPPCL) has stated in the above mentioned petition that the terms and conditions for power purchase agreement signed for 2X500 MW shall also be approved for enhanced capacity of 200 MW and has prayed for determination of tariff of such 200 MW. The Petitioner is also seeking direction for M/s Lanco Anpara Power Private Ltd. (LAPPL) to seek approval of technical and financial changes from the Commission as required under Government Order dt Therefore, the Petitioner, UPPCL, is directed to make available the petition on its website and hard copies of the same at its Registered Office at Shakti Bahwan, 14, Ashok Marg, Lucknow for inspection by any person during office hours. And, LAPPL is also directed to file their response within 10 days directly to the Commission with a copy to UPPCL. The submissions of LAPPL shall also be made available on website UPPCL and hard copies for inspection. The petition is also available on the website of the Commission. Notice is hereby given to the stakeholders and interested parties to submit comments/objections/ suggestions to the above petition in writing directly to the Commission at Kisan Mandi Bhawan, 2 nd Floor, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, with an advance copy to the petitioner, personally or by post so as to reach before the hearing in the matter by the Commission. The comments/objections/ suggestions can also be brought before the Commission at the time of hearing. The hearing in the matter shall be held on 22 nd Sept, 08 at 15:00 hrs. in the office of the Commission. LAPPL, Reliance Power Ltd.(RPL), Sri. Asit Srivastava, Advocate on behalf of Sri. Arvind Kumar Singh and Vidyut Karamchari Sanyukt Sanghrash Samiti, Uttar Pradesh (Sanghrash Samiti ) have made written submissions: (i) LAPPL in its affidavit dt has stated that all statutory clearances for 2X600 MW have been obtained and there is no requirement of additional forest land and water on account of increase in capacity of the project. It is also stated that the project is progressing as per schedule and the 3

4 completion date of the project shall remain the same. Present power evacuation system and MGR system are stated to be sufficient for 2X600 MW capacity of the project. As regard to approval of technical changes due to change in capacity, LAPPL seeking- (a) modification of Schedule-3 of PPA due to change in capacity of BTG, auxiliaries and balance of the plant equipments, and (b) incorporation of corresponding changes in the Facility & Services Agreement dt In respect to financial changes, LAPPL states that due to increase in capacity, the capital cost of the project has increased proportionately. Based on International Competitive Bidding, Lanco Infratech Ltd. had quoted lowest, Rs.3228 Cr. for EPC contract of 2X600 MW project, and Agreement executed on The cost of 2X500 MW and 2X600 MW projects have been stated as Rs Cr. and Rs Cr. respectively with per MW cost remaining the same at Rs Cr. LAPPL is praying for approval of technical and financial changes, the draft PPA and determination of tariff for the additional capacity. (ii) RPL in its affidavit dt has traced the history of the original proceedings held for 2X500 MW Anpara C project and it is re-agitating on those issues which were raised by it in the proceedings of the Pet. no.538/08, in the matter of Sri. Arvind Kumar Singh Vs. Department of Energy, State of UP & 5 Ors., disposed of by Order dt as such, these averments are not being repeated. RPL is praying for the rejection of the petition and invitation of fresh tenders for 1200 MW. (iii) Sri. Asit Srivastava has filed a written submission dt on behalf of Sri. Arvind Kr. Singh not supported with an affidavit. Sri. Srivastava has also made the averments similar to that made in the Pet. no.538/08 by the Petitioner Sri. Arvind Kumar Singh in the matter of Sri. Arvind Kumar Singh Vs. Department of Energy, State of UP & 5 Ors. 4

5 It is stated in the written submission that Lanco has been playing fraud and/or has not been clean in dealing with various power projects where it has been found guilty of illegal activities/misrepresentations and/or has reneged from its commitments and in support cited the following relying on a report published by Infraline Energy on : (a) After securing Sasan Ultra Mega Project, the letter of interest issued to Lanco was cancelled on fraud and misrepresentation given by Lanco in its qualification bid. (b) After being awarded the contract for sale of power by Haryana Government, Lanco has withdrawn from the commitment to supply power. (c) Lanco has withdrawn from the commitment to supply power after being awarded the contract. A letter dated 2/8/08 to MP TRADECO confirms the same. (d) Lanco is repeating Anpara in Nagarjuna Power Project in Mangalore, where it had delayed the project due to its intent to change the project capacity. The consumers in Punjab and Karnataka set to loose greatly. Sri. Srivastava is seeking to, in Para 10 of its submission, quashing of award, direction to invite bid for revised capacity, debarring Lanco from participating in future biddings and direction to Lanco to transfer land, shared facilities and other resources including clearances and approvals etc. to the selected developer of the revised bidding. He further states that in case the Commission proceeds to deal with the application of UPPCL, the fixed component of the tariff of additional 200 MW power should be termed as zero in view of economies of scale available to 2X600 MW project. (iv) Sanghrash Samiti sought adjournment of hearing. 3. The deliberations made in the hearing are as below: Being public hearing, adjournment as sought by Sanghrash Samiti was not agreed to 5

6 (a) Sri. Amarjit S. Rakhra, Advocate & Counsel for UPPCL submitted on behalf of the Petitioner that in the matter of Sri. Arvind Kumar Singh Vs. Department of Energy, State of UP & 5 Ors, the Commission had passed an Order dt urging UPPCL to file a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for determination of tariff for the additional capacity and in compliance of the said order, the Petitioner had filed the petition praying for determination of tariff of such 200 MW with maximum benefit to consumers of the State and direction to M/s Lanco Anpara Power Private Ltd. to seek approval of technical and financial changes. (b) Sri. Mansoor Ali Shoket, Advocate for Reliance Power Ltd. reiterated the averment made in the written submission and opposed the petition stating that the petition had been filed for the approval of PPA, tariff and other changes presupposing the approval to the enhanced capacity. The Commission reminded Sri. Shoket of the submissions made by Sri. Amit Kapur, Advocate on behalf of RPL, in the hearing of Pet.no.538/08 on , that the enhancement of the capacity was not opposed in view of the acute shortage of power in the State and even the Petitioner of Pet.no.538/08 himself was also not opposed to enhancement in capacity despite of several concerns and reservations expressed therein. Prior to the proceeding held in the said petition, the Hon ble High Court had already taken cognizance of the fact that the Government of UP had allowed enhancement of capacity requiring LAPPL to approach the Commission for approval of technical and financial changes. As such the present proceeding was limited to the examination of technical and financial aspects including the tariff which could be fixed for the enhanced capacity of 200 MW, therefore arguments should be limited to the said issues. Sri. Shoket asserted that an Order dt passed in Pet.no.538/08 had not expressly approved the enhanced capacity. Sri. Shoket contested that tariff of 200 MW could not be determined by the Commission because tariff could either be for 2X500 MW project or 6

7 2X600 MW project and particularly in absence of PPA signed between the UPPCL and LAPPL for purchase of such additional capacity. He prayed for downward revision of the tariff in light of submissions made in Para 4 of written submission in case Commission decided to proceed with determination of tariff of such capacity. Sri. Amarjit S. Rakhra, Advocate & Counsel for UPPCL argued that the Commission could determine such tariff in the beneficial interest of the consumers of the State. (c) Sri. K. Raja Gopal, Director & CEO for Lanco Anpara Power Private Ltd. submitted that there was no technical limitation to the enhancement of capacity. Regarding financial changes, Sri. Sanjay Sen, Advocate for Lanco Anpara Power Private Ltd. stated that cost of the project had increased proportionately with increase in capacity as a result of which per MW cost for 2X500 MW and 2X600 MW projects were the same. He informed that a draft PPA had been submitted to UPPCL for its consideration. (d) Sri. Asit Srivastava, Advocate for Sri Arvind Kumar Singh reiterated the Para 7 of his written submissions that Lanco had been defaulting from its commitment in projects awarded to it. Sri. Srivastava further stated that his knowledge as mentioned in Para 7 was based on a report available on the website of Infraline Eenrgy. Sri. Mansoor Ali Shoket, Advocate for Reliance Power Ltd. expressed his agreement with Sri. Srivastava stating that letter of award had been withdrawn in Sasan, contract terminated in MP after financial closer and Lanco withdrawn itself from Haryana. Sri. K. Raja Gopal, Director vehemently denied the averments made by Sri. Srivastava and stated that the report published in the website appears to be deliberately planted by project detractors to tarnish the image of the Company and was baseless. Sri. K. Raja Gopal informed that on publication of the said report, a protest was lodged with Infraline Energy on propriety of the report posted and Infraline Energy had withdrawn the said report with due apology to Lanco. Sri. Raja Gopal submitted the dt as proof. Sri. Raja Gopal reiterated that 7

8 LAPPL is committed to complete this project on schedule and informed the Commission that the construction activities are proceeding on schedule. Sri. Srivastava suggested that the tariff for enhanced capacity should not burden the consumer of the State. 4. RPL and Sri. Asit Srivastava, Advocate for Sri Arvind Kumar Singh are pleading for invitation of fresh bids. The direction to UPPCL to submit PPA for approval and decision of determination of tariff was taken by the Commission in Order dt as these parties were not opposed to enhancement in capacity. In the proceedings of Pet.no.538/08, Sri. Gaurav Banerjee, Advocate for the Petitioner and Sri. Amit Kapur, Advocate appearing for Reliance Power Ltd. did not oppose the enhancement of the capacity of the project in view of shortage of power in the State and pleaded for determination of tariff of additional 200 MW that arises on account of change in capacity to 2X600 MW. The pleadings of Sri. Gaurav Banerjee and Sri. Amit Kapur is worth quoting as mentioned in Order dt , as below: 3. Sri. Gaurab Banerjee Sr. Advocate and Counsel for the Petitioner stated that he is appearing on behalf of the petitioner who is a consumer of electricity in UP and therefore, vitally interested in the present case and submitted that in the original proceedings, the Commission discussed whether the capacity of the plant should be 2X500 MW or be with a variation of plus/minus 20%. The variation was opposed, inter alia, by Respondent no.4; on various grounds and the Commission concluded in Order dt that the capacity of the project should be 2X500 MW. The Respondent no.4 was subsequently adjudged as successful bidder and the letter of acceptance dated , was issued. After 9 months, based on the Cabinet Decision published in the Hindustan Times, Respondent no.4 made a request to the Government to change the project capacity to 2X600 MW and went ahead to seek clearances of project based on the enhanced capacity permitted by the Government of U.P. A petition for adoption of tariff and enhancement of capacity was filed by UPPCL in which the Commission passed Order dt That Petition was later withdrawn by UPPCL. In reference to Para 3 of the reply to the Petition filed by UPPCL, Sri. Banerjee submitted that as the Commission had adopted tariff for 2X500 MW Anpara 8

9 C project by Order dt which was then final and binding on the parties and the Commission could not have passed that order had it been apprised by the Respondents of the change in the ground condition of the project and since the Respondents have failed to do so, only third party could inform the Commission of such change what the present Petitioner had done by way of present petition. On the other hand, he stated, the Commission could take cognizance of the matter on its own motion under Rule 26 of the Conduct of Business Regulations notified by the Commission. Referring to the writ petition filed the same Petitioner before the Hon ble High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, Lucknow Bench; Sri. Banerjee submitted that the Hon ble Court did not allow the petition because the Commission was already seized with the matter. He further submitted that the Petitioner was not opposed to enhancement of the capacity by the Respondent no.4 from 2X500 to 2X600 MW and that the Petitioner was only concerned with the issue of tariff that will be applicable to the people of UP for power generated from the said power plant. The Petitioner stated that he welcomes the increase in capacity so long as it insures the benefit of the people of UP. On the issue of maintainability of the petition, the learned Senior Counsel stated that the petition was maintainable in view of the fact that it raised serious questions of how the capacity of the power plant was changed and that was not informed to the Commission. The Petitioner stated that in fact a fraud was committed by Respondent no.3 who withheld the fact relating to increase in capacity of the power plant from the Commission. He also stated that UPPCL had also withheld this vital information of increase in capacity from the Commission. Sri. Amit Kapur Advocate appearing for the Respondent no. 5 stated that the permission for enhancement of capacity accorded by the GoUP was conditional one subject to approval of the Commission. Even as per provisions of the competitive bidding guidelines notified by the Central Govt., all deviations or variations were subject to approval of the Commission and the same applied to the present case. Sri. Kapur stated that the enhancement in capacity was not opposed in view of the shortage of power in the State, but the Commission had to accord approval and adjust the tariff. On jurisdiction of the Commission to do so, Sri. Kapur submitted that Commission has function to determine tariff under section-62 read with Section-61 of the Electricity Act,03 and section 63 creates a special condition where tariff is determined by competitive bidding process and subsequent adoption by the Commission. The provision of 9

10 Section- 86(1)(b), he submitted further, read with section 63 empowers the Commission to settle the questions relating to tariff. He defended the submissions of the Petitioner that the petitioner could call for an action under Regulation 26 of the Conduct of Business Regulation because the Petitioner was an affected party in face of the facts that Respondent no.4 was constructing a 1200 MW project at site and had obtained REC loan and MoEF clearances for that capacity. On the question of locus standii of the Petitioner, Sri. Kapur submitted that the Commission was not a court and so that question of locus standii is irrelevant. He stated that the petitioner was an affected party as to higher cost of electricity to be paid by him and that fact could not be ignored as function of the Commission was to establish balance between the interests of various interested or affected parties. He asserted that capacity enhancement and subsequent tariff fixation was a matter of fate accompli before the Commission and concerns of the State might be seen or must be considered. Above pleadings were witnessed by Sri. Asit Srivastava, Advocate who was in assistance with Sri. Gaurav Banerjee, the Advocate for Sri. Arvind Kumar Singh, the Petitioner of Pet. No.538/08 and also by Sri. Mansoor Ali Shoket, Advocate being in assistance with Sri.Amit Kapur as such these Advocates can not now plead a case different than pleaded by them earlier with the sole aim of delaying the matter or to start proceeding ab initio which the Commission had concluded by Order dt We would like to further add that the larger public interest are served by the Government and in its prudence, the GoUP had allowed the enhancement of capacity in view of huge shortage in supply in the State and there will be substantial delay to bear fruit from the project in case of re-bidding. The preamble of the Electricity Act,03 states that it is, An Act to consolidate the laws relating to generation, transmission, distribution, trading and use of electricity and generally for taking measures conducive to development of electricity industry, promoting competition therein, protective interest of consumers and supply of electricity to all areas rationalization of electricity tariff,.. and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. 10

11 RPL argues that the Order dt passed in Pet.no.538/08 does not expressly approve change in capacity to 2X600 MW although they did not oppose enhancement in the hearing. It would be wrong to infer or interpret that the Commission had not allowed the capacity enhancement because UPPCL was directed to finalize a PPA for additional power and decided for determination of tariff for additional capacity in accordance with the regulatory principles and precedents as enumerated. We assert again that the change in capacity from 2X500 MW to 2X600 MW including technical as well as financial changes are hereby approved. 5 (a) The Commission observed in the hearing that all the parties are looking for determination of tariff from such enhanced capacity with maximum benefit to consumers of the State and desired that all parties must assist the Commission in determination of tariff with relevant data and methodology. However, while determining tariff, the Commission would also like to examine the gap in tariff quoted by LAPPL and Reliance for 2X500 MW Anpara C project. (b) The advocates for UPPCL & Sri. Asit Srivastava prayed that the Commission of its own may decide the tariff and they have nothing further to submit. The representatives of RPL and LAPPL desired 7 days time to furnish details to assist the Commission in determination of tariff. UPPCL also desired time to furnish draft PPA for approval of the Commission. 6. The Commission directed parties in interim Order dt to call certain information as below: 11. UPPCL have not submitted power purchase agreement for purchase of additional power of 200 MW as such UPPCL is directed to submit power purchase agreement within 7 days. 12. The parties to the proceedings are also directed to submit, within 7 days, data and proposal as to the basis or manner, the tariff of enhance capacity of 200 MW could be determined by the Commission. 7. LAPPL has submitted its reply in compliance to above order whereas UPPCL has filed an application seeking extension of time up to for 11

12 submitting power purchase agreement. RPL, UPPCL and Sri. Arvind Kumar Singh or his Advocate have not made any submission in compliance to para- 12 of Order dt and the Commission has also not received any request for extension of time on this ground. 8. LAPPL is seeking modification of schedule-3 of PPA signed for 2X500 MW project due to change in capacity to 2X600 MW project and corresponding changes in Facility & Services Agreement dt A Schedule-3 in PPA shall be inserted in the PPA to be signed for additional 200 MW and that shall supersede Schedule-3 of PPA dt for all purposes in execution, operation, maintenance and other matters connected therewith and incidental to. The Facility & Services Agreement dt shall accordingly be modified by a supplementary agreement. 9. UPPCL is seeking time up to for submitting PPA for approval. Time is allowed. UPPCL is also directed to ensure compliance of Para 8 above while submitting PPA. Sanghrash Samiti may take the advantage of opportunity granted by extension of time up to to submit their views. 10. The issue of determination of tariff shall be taken up after UPPCL submits PPA for approval of the Commission. (R.D. Gupta) (P. N. Pathak) (Vijoy Kumar) Member Member Chairman Lucknow; Dated: 20 th Oct,